Bluffing

How To Bluff

Every good poker player knows that bluffing is an essential part of the game. In order to develop a good winning strategy for poker, you must understand bluffing and use this skill well. If you understand how, why and when to bluff, you can begin to take your poker game to the next level. Using an effective bluff can turn a bad hand into a profitable win.

Bluffing Basics

In poker, the definition of bluffing is betting or raising when you are holding a weak hand, taking the risk that other players will be fooled into thinking you are holding better cards and giving up the pot to you. While this does not always work, a player with a good bluffing technique can turn it into a profitable skill.

How to bluff is fairly simple, basically, you bet on a hand that is not favoured to win. Take a look at your cards, assess the actions of the others at the table, and make a commitment to continue through the hand. Then put on your best poker face and try not to give any tells that would cause the other players to call your bluff. Remember to use bluffing wisely, as a good player will pick up on any signs that you are giving off if you repeatedly bluff at the same table.

Why Do You Bluff

There are two types of bluffs in poker, each with its own distinct purpose. Pure bluffs are riskier, while semi-bluffs might pay off a little more often. In a pure bluff, you bet or raise on cards that are very unlikely to improve, no matter what the deal. In a semi-bluff, players holding cards that are very near a good hand will continue to bet in hopes that either the turn of the cards will fall in their favor or that the bluff will have other players fold. Semi-bluffs are easier to get away with when playing poker online as it will be harder for your opponent to get a good read on you.

When Should You Bluff

The key to a good bluff is deciding when to use the technique. First, look at any door cards the other players have showing on the table and consider how these might fall into play. Also, asses the other players’ tells to see if they are giving off the signs of an exceptionally good or poor hand. If you are in a later position and most at the table have already folded, a bluff could pay off big, unless you are facing the type of player who never gives in. If you are going heads up against a player, you may want to bluff just to avoid passing the pot to them willingly.

There are a few cases where bluffing should be avoided, or at least used with extreme caution. If you are in an early position, you may not want to bluff, unless you know your opponents well and can read their tells. If there are many players left in the game, bluffing might not be in your favor, either. Finally, if another at the table has a large enough investment in the pot that he will likely not go down before the showdown, you may want to give up your bluff. The decision to bluff and the techniques of bluffing are an individual trait, so you should develop your own strategy and use your own personal poker knowledge to make your bluffs pay off big. When timed correctly and used scarcely, a bluff can be the key to winning some massive pots in this game.